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Biomedical subjects

A Bianco

Publications and source records attributed to A Bianco.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the efficacy of glutaraldehyde and peroxygen for disinfection of dental instruments.

The antimicrobial and sporicidal activities in vitro and in vivo of 1% peroxygen (Virkon) and 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde (Asporin) were evaluated on dental instruments before and after cleaning. The in vitro antimicrobial activity against vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores and fungi indicated that glutaraldehyde is more active against these organisms than peroxygen. Asporin killed all vegetative bacteria within 1 min after cleaning, whereas Virkon was active, in the majority of cases, within 15 min and obtained a greater than 10(5)-fold reduction in count before killing for the vast majority of instruments, and for all micro-organisms. The spores of Bacillus subtilis were killed by Asporin within 4-5 h after cleaning, whereas Virkon required almost 20 h. A meticulous instrument cleaning process followed by an appropriate disinfection treatment assures a shorter disinfection time. Asporin should be recommended for chemical sterilization or high-level disinfection of dental instruments, and Virkon, if only disinfection is required, would seem to be a possible alternative, even if used with a higher exposure time.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1997

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) down-regulates the rhinovirus-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on human airway epithelial cells.

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are a major cause of upper respiratory tract infections in man, and can exacerbate existing pulmonary disease. The major group of HRV attach to ICAM-1, which is expressed on nasal and bronchial epithelial cells. To study the influence of biological mediators on ICAM-1 expression, and consequently HRV attachment and infection, we compared the effects of various cytokines, alone and in combination, on ICAM-1 expression by an uninfected and HRV-infected bronchial epithelial cell line H292. Cytokines known to be released soon after viral infection, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta and the chemokine IL-8 increase ICAM-1 expression on uninfected cells. Epithelial cells infected with live HRV-14 displayed marked up-regulation of ICAM-1 compared with baseline. TNF-alpha further enhanced the HRV-induced increase in ICAM-1 expression on epithelial cells, peaking at day 4 after infection, whilst IL-8 exhibited a steady increase in ICAM-1 expression over 14 days. In contrast, IFN-gamma, a known Th1 antiviral lymphokine, whilst increasing the level of ICAM-1 on uninfected cells, induced a significant persistent down-regulation of ICAM-1 expression on HRV-infected epithelial cells. With combinations of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, ICAM-1 expression on HRV-infected cells was reduced to basal levels. The effects of IFN-gamma were paralleled by a reduction in viral titres. Our in vitro model has provided useful insights into the early pathogenic events of HRV infection at the level of the host cell-virus interaction. Our data confirm that biological mediators play a crucial role in the pathogenesis as well as the course of HRV infection which is modulated by the types, and time kinetics of inflammatory cytokines in the immediate microenvironment.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1997

Beta-turn induction by C60-based fulleroproline: synthesis and conformational characterization of Fpr/Pro small peptides.

We have recently described the preparation of Fpr (C60-based fulleroproline). In this paper the synthesis and a conformational characterization of heterochiral di- and tripeptides containing this new alpha-amino acid are reported. A folded structure, induced by the -L-Fpr-D-Ala-sequence in chloroform solution and detected by Fourier transform infrared absorption and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, has been compared with the known propensity of the cognate -L-Pro-D-Ala-sequence to adopt a beta II-turn conformation, which has also been confirmed in this work. The beta II-turn structure is retained in the crystal state by the Pro-peptides, as shown by the X-ray diffraction structures of Ibu-L-Pro-D-Ala-NHtBu and Z-L-Pro-D-Ala-L-Ala-OtBu.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

[A query system for the "SINTESI" database in scientific research and medical practice].

"SINTESI release 1.0" is an application for Windows that was designed to enable a practical approach to day-hospital evaluation and management of several metabolic and instrumental parameters. "SINTESI" provides electronic archives such as demographics, history, follow-up, laboratory, electrocardiogram, Doppler echocardiography, vascular echo-Doppler, Holter ECG, nuclear imaging, radiology, ergometric testing, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, hemodynamics. We have improved the first release (1.0) with a new application that queries the database ("SINTESI release 2.0"). The new query application, developed in collaboration with experts of the Italian Group for the Study of Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Diseases, was designed with the central file displaying buttons that recall electronic archives, allowing to select the variables for the query. At the end of each operation, the user always returns to the central file, where it builds the query formula by "AND/OR" logic operators. Query formula and results can be recorded to be used whenever needed. The results of the query can be exported as DBF or ASCII files for analysis with statistical packages. This feature allows the use of the data bank for medical research.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1996

Pregnancy outcome at age 40 and older.

OBJECTIVE: To examine pregnancy outcome among women age 40 years and older. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, including 1404 pregnant women at least 40 years of age and 6978 controls age 20-29 years, was conducted. The two groups were stratified, according to parity, to facilitate separate analysis. Associations between maternal age and pregnancy outcomes were assessed with the contingency chi 2 or two-tailed Fisher exact test. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate these associations and allowed for calculation of adjusted odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: Older gravidas were more likely to develop gestational diabetes (nulliparas: OR 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-3.7; multiparas: OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.7-5.4), preeclampsia (nulliparas: OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.6; multiparas: OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.9), and placenta previa (nulliparas: OR 13.0, 95% CI 4.8-35.0; multiparas: OR 6.4, 95% CI 2.6-15.6). Older women were also at increased risk for cesarean delivery (nulliparas: OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.6-3.7; multiparas: OR 3.3, 95% CI 2.6-4.1), operative vaginal delivery (nulliparas: OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.9-2.9; multiparas: OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9), and induction of labor (nulliparas: OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.8; multiparas: OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.7). Older nulliparas had an increased incidence of abnormal labor patterns (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7), neonatal intensive care unit admissions (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2), and low 1-minute Apgar scores (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.9). Older multiparas were more likely to experience fetal distress (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4-2.8), antepartum vaginal bleeding (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.1), and preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.9). CONCLUSION: Although maternal morbidity was increased in the older gravidas, the overall neonatal outcome did not appear to be affected.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cisplatin/carboplatin + etoposide + vinorelbine in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a multicentre randomised trial. Gruppo Oncologico Campano.

A multicentre randomised phase III trial in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was undertaken to compare the therapeutic activity and toxicity of a cisplatin/carboplatin-etoposide-vinorelbine combination with that of a cisplatin-etoposide regimen. Patients with advanced (stage IIIB-IV) NSCLC were randomised, after stratification for stage (IIIB-IV) and performance status (0-1 and 2), to receive either (A) CDDP 40 mg m-2 + VP16 100 mg m-2 on days 1-3 as standard treatment or (B) CBDCA 250 mg m-2 on day 1 + CDDP 30 mg m-2 on days 2 and 3 + VP16 100 mg m-2 on days 1-3 + NVB 30 mg m-2 on day 1. Therapy was recycled on day 29 in both arms. We hypothesised a 15% minimum increment in the response rate with the experimental regimen over the 25% expected activity rate of the standard regimen. A two-stage design was chosen, which permitted the early termination of the trial (after the accrual of 52 patients in each arm) if the difference in response rates between the two regimens was less than 3% at the end of the first stage. A total of 112 patients (arm A = 57, arm B = 55) were enrolled in the study (53 with stage IIIB and 59 with stage IV), of which 105 eligible patients were evaluable for response on an "intention to treat' basis. Seven patients were excluded because they did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. Fifteen responses were observed in arm A (28%, 95% CI = 17-42) and 13 (one complete) in arm B (25%, 95% CI = 13-37). On multivariate logistic analysis, treatment did not affect the response rate, while stage IV and performance status 2 were significantly associated with a lower probability of response. Median survivals were similar in the two arms (31 vs 27 weeks). The experimental regimen was associated with an extremely poor median survival in patients with poor performance status (21 weeks). On Cox analysis, treatment failed to show a significant impact on survival: stage IV (relative risk = 1.6. CI = 1.0-2.6, P = 0.036) was the only prognostic variable significantly associated with a worse survival outcome and, although poor performance status adversely affected survival, this effect did not reach the level of statistical significance (relative risk = 1.6, CI = 0.98-2.5; P = 0.063). There were no significant differences in non-haematological toxicities between the two arms, although three patients in the control arm had to discontinue the treatment because of the persistence of severe nephrotoxicity (two patients) or neurotoxicity (one patient). In contrast, a significant increase in both neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was observed in the experimental arm. Four treatment-related deaths were registered in arm B (two due to neutropenic sepsis, one to myocardial failure and one to acute renal failure) compared with one toxic death (acute renal failure) in arm A. In view of these results, the trial was stopped and the null hypothesis (< 15% increase in response rate with the experimental regimen) has been accepted. Therefore, our combination does not deserve further evaluation as first-line treatment in advanced NSCLC patients. As our data suggest that an aggressive chemotherapy might have a negative impact on survival of patients with poor performance status, trials to evaluate the activity of new regimens should be conducted separately for each subset of patients with different performance status.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Massive haemobilia after percutaneous liver biopsy in a patient with POEMS syndrome successfully treated by arterial embolization.

A 65-year-old woman with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin changes) developed severe upper right quadrant colic with jaundice, massive haematemesis and melaena following an apparently uncomplicated percutaneous liver biopsy performed for suspected liver involvement. Symptom onset occurred about 18 hours after the procedure. Haemobilia was diagnosed on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. An arteriovenous fistula in the third hepatic segment was demonstrated by transfemoral arteriography and successfully embolized using Gelfoam pledgets mixed with Ivalon fragments. A review of percutaneous liver biopsy related haemobilia is presented.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Crystallographic characterization of geometry and conformation of TOAC, a nitroxide spin-labelled C alpha,alpha-disubstituted glycine, in simple derivatives and model peptides.

The molecular and crystal structures of one derivative and two oligopeptides of TOAC, a nitroxide spin-labelled C alpha, alpha-disubstituted glycine, have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The derivative is the 5(4H)-oxazolone from Piv-TOAC-OH; the oligopeptides are Z-TOAC-(L-Ala)2-NHtBu sesquihydrate and pBrBz-TOAC-(L-Ala)2-TOAC-L-Ala-NHtBu hemihydrate. Incipient and fully developed right-handed 3(10)-helical conformations are formed by both independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the terminally blocked tripeptide amide and the terminally blocked pentapeptide amide, respectively. The average geometry and preferred conformation for the piperidine ring of the TOAC residues are also discussed in detail.

Cyclic N-Oxides↗
PubMed1996

Effects of lung volume and thoracic gas compression on maximal and partial flow-volume curves.

Comparing isovolume flows, measured at the mouth during forced expiratory manoeuvres as started from maximal or partial lung inflation, is a means of assessing the effects of deep inhalation on airway calibre. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the assessment of the effect of deep inhalation during induced bronchoconstriction is influenced by the lung volume at which it is determined and by volume differences due to thoracic gas compression that occur during forced expiratory manoeuvres. Four healthy subjects and six subjects with mild-to-moderate asthma subjects performed partial and maximal forced expiratory manoeuvres in a flow-type body plethysmograph at control and during a methacholine (MCh) inhalation challenge. Mouth flow (V1) was plotted against both the expired volume (Vmo) and the simultaneous thoracic volume measured by plethysmography (Vpl) changes (V1-Vmo loop and V1-Vpl loop, respectively). The effects of deep inhalation were quantified by determining 1) the ration of maximal to partial expiratory flows (M/P) at 30, 40 and 50% of control forced vital capacity (FVC) both on V1-Vmo loops (M/Pmo) and V1-Vpl loops (M/Ppl) at control and at MCh end-point; and 2) the slope of the linear regression of maximal vs partial expiratory flows at 30, 40 and 50% of control FVC both on V1-Vmo loops (MPst,mo) and V1-Vpl loops (MPsl,pl) over the entire challenge. At control, M/Pmo and M/Ppl were similar. At MCh end-point, M/Pmo and M/Ppl increased more than twofold (p < 0.002), with M/Pmo consistently exceeding M/Ppl (p < 0.001). In addition, both M/Pmo and M/Ppl varied inversely with lung volume (p < 0.001). By contrast, MPsl,mo and MPsl,pl were not significantly different from each other (p = 0.8), and were also similar at the different lung volumes (p = 0.6). We conclude that during induced bronchoconstriction, the bronchodilation following a deep inhalation, expressed as maximal to partial flow ratio is dependent both on lung volume and volume differences due to thoracic gas compression. The use of expired flow and volume measurements may lead to a small but systematic overestimation of the bronchodilator effect of a deep inhalation. On the contrary, maximal to partial flow slope is insensitive either to lung volume or volume differences due to thoracic gas compression and can, therefore, be fairly determined from expired flow-volume loops.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The polypeptide 3(10)-helix as a template for molecular recognition studies. Structural characterization of a side-chain functionalized octapeptide.

A N alpha-blocked, Aib-rich octapeptide methylamide containing two N omega-benzoylated L-Lys residues at positions 3 and 6 was synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. A solution and crystal-state conformational analysis, performed by using FT-IR, 1H NMR, CD, and X-ray diffraction techniques, showed that the peptide is folded into a regular, right-handed 3(10)-helix stabilized by seven consecutive N-H...O=C intramolecular H-bonds of the beta-turn III type. The two benzamidobutyl L-Lys side chains, located on the same side of the helix after one complete turn, generate a cleft the minimal width of which was found to be 3.47 A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Hybrid MOPP/ABVD and radiotherapy in advanced Hodgkin's disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease (HD), the alternation of MOPP with ABVD or hybrid MOPP/ABVD are associated with a high CR rate and a high probability of 5-year survival. However, even after effective chemotherapy the risk of nodal relapse is not negligible, and not only in initial bulky site(s) of disease. For this reason, in an attempt to prevent relapses after combination chemotherapy alone, we performed a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and toxic effects of 6 courses of hybrid MOPP/ABVD followed by radiotherapy (RT) in stages II A bulky, II B, III and also in stage IV with bulky disease of residual after chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1985 to August 1993, 133 patients with HD (128 newly diagnosed, stage II A bulky-IV, 5 in first relapse after RT) were treated according to the following program: 6 courses of the hybrid MOPP/ABVD regimen followed by RT (STNI + spleen in stages II A, II B, III without pelvic lymph node involvement, TNI + spleen in stage III with pelvic lymph node involvement, involved field in stage IV with bulky disease or residual after chemotherapy). The total dose of RT was 4000 cGy to the sites of bulky or residual disease and 2000 cGy to the other sites. RESULTS: After hybrid MOPP/ABVD, 107 of 130 (82.3%) fully evaluable patients were classified as in CR or CR(U). After completion of RT, 108 patients were in CR and 3 were in PR, for an overall response rate of 85%. With a median follow-up duration of 45 months, the actuarial 5-year survival is 76% and the progression-free survival 68.6%. So far, only 14 patients have relapsed (6 within the irradiation field) and the 5-year relapse-free survival is 82.5%. CONCLUSION: Six courses of hybrid MOPP/ABVD followed by RT in stages II A bulky, II B, III and in stage IV with bulky disease or residual after chemotherapy produced a high CR rate with low risk of relapse. However, a longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the late effects of combined therapy.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1994

A bioactive fullerene peptide.

The highly hydrophobic C60 (buckminsterfullerene) was water solubilized by covalently linking the synthon 1,2-dihydro-1,2-methanofullerene [60]-61-carboxylic acid to the alpha-amino group of the hydrophilic 4-8 sequence of peptide T, known to display potent human monocyte chemotaxis. The resulting compound, characterized by a variety of analytical techniques, including a UV spectrum in aqueous solution, exhibits remarkable chemotactic potency, comparable to that of the parent pentapeptide. Furthermore, this fullerene-peptide conjugate inhibits, albeit weakly, HIV-1 protease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Protective effects of nedocromil sodium on cellular and biohumoral components present in the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid and in peripheral blood in atopic asthmatics.

Nedocromil sodium, a disodium salt of a pyroquinolinedicarboxylic acid, raises the bronchial hyperresponsiveness threshold, because it inhibits the mediators released by the various cells, and reduces the involvement and activation of inflammatory cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the state of activation of the immunocompetent cells and the main chemical mediators present in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from 10 atopic asthmatic patients, before and after treatment with nedocromil sodium. The following examinations were performed before treatment and after 120 days of therapy with nedocromil sodium at 16 mg/day (two 2-mg puffs x 4): the level of chemical mediators and the state of activation of immunocompetent cells in BAL fluid; immunological analytes in activation of immunocompetent cells in BAL fluid; immunological analytes in peripheral blood; aspecific bronchial challenge test with ultrasonicated bidistilled H2O fog to evaluate variations in the hyperreactivity threshold; questionnaire to determine any adverse effects of treatment (cough, breathlessness, sleep disorders). Our findings demonstrate that nedocromil sodium prevents the release of chemotactic and inflammatory mediators by the effector cells and thus stabilizes microvascular permeability and epithelial damage, so raising the threshold of response to bronchoconstriction stimuli. Lastly, nedocromil sodium is associated with a better preventive therapeutic efficacy and good tolerance and can therefore be suggested as a valid drug to be used in the long-term treatment of bronchial asthma.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1993

Secondary leukemia following treatment for Hodgkin's disease.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Patients treated for Hodgkin's disease with chemotherapy or with the association of chemotherapy and radiotherapy have an increased risk of secondary leukemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the leukemogenic risk due to these treatment modalities. METHODS: We performed a case-control study on a population of 1410 patients treated for Hodgkin's disease from 1970 to 1990 in our Institute. Among these patients, we identified 25 cases of secondary leukemia and 3 cases of myelodysplasia, all occurring more than one year after the diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease. Three cases occurred among the patients treated with radiotherapy alone. When we analyzed the risk in relation to the type of treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both), the comparisons were relative to patients treated with radiotherapy alone. RESULTS: We found that chemotherapy alone is associated with a fivefold increased risk (odds ratio = 5.4) compared with radiotherapy alone. When both treatments are used, the risk is not further increased (odds ratio = 4.4). Patients receiving more than 6 courses of chemotherapy have an excess risk (relative risk = 2.5) compared with those treated with 6 courses or less. No increased risk was observed after splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms an increased incidence of secondary leukemia occurring in patients treated for Hodgkin's disease. The increased risk seems to be correlated with the number of courses of alkylating agent therapy, whereas it is unaffected by the addition of radiotherapy.

Adolescent↗